The C-Note (8/9/05)

New York, NY

The C-Note and Sidewalk are blocks from each other in Alphabet City, but they couldn't be more different spaces. Sidewalk is dimly lit and littered with tables and chairs, making it a warm, intimate room. The sound at the C-Note is top notch, but much of the audience is forced to stand, and the patrons tend to be on the chatty side. Most importantly, Sidewalk sports a sizable restaurant, which almost always guarantees an audience. The C-Note is less predictable. I've played to empty rooms, but I've also enjoyed some of my favorite nights there. You never know what you're going to get.

The place was crowded for Victoria Gross' set, which was excellent. For some reason, my name was not included on the chalkboard outside, and there were a few hairy moments during which I managed to convince myself that I'd written the wrong night on my schedule. Ultimately, everything was sorted out and I took the stage around 9:15.

After some deliberation, I decided to open with Cloud 9, followed by There, unplayed since DTUT in March of 2004. I hadn't performed live since Session 73 in late May, so I stuck with familiar songs for the most part. Reunion was perhaps not an inspired choice and I struggled a little with the lower registers, but Alison really kicked things into high gear. Elvis Costello is, all things considered, an underrated songwriter, and Alison never fails to get the audience's attention. I'm planning to start mixing in more of his music, so be on the lookout for New Amsterdam, Mystery Dance, Radio, Radio, Indoor Fireworks, and Accidents Will Happen. Let's face it: any of his tunes are fair game at this point.

I hadn't played Self-Portrait in Your Colors since last May, and the time off did it some good. Sean McAndrew (trumping all of us in full suit and tie) requested Pretty Girls, and I indulged him before debuting The Last One. It's one of my favorites, but, given the subject matter (the recent rash of suicides at NYU), I'd been reluctant to perform it. I think it would benefit a great deal from a second guitar and piano, but these things are not easy to come by.

I've been toying around with Modest Mouse's Blame It On the Tetons for a few months now, and I finally felt comfortable enough with the lyrics to give it a go. I think I may save it for some of the more mellow venues from now on; it seemed to take a bit of the life out of the set, as much as I enjoyed playing it. What a Mess was rock solid, and as a result, I was emboldened enough to solicit requests from the crowd. Sean requested The Only Living Boy in New York and Fake Plastic Trees, and my Aunt Renee, who pulled double duty taking photographs, made my day by asking for The Beauty Pool, which I count among the night's highlights. Once again, I caved into Bill's pre-show request for Grey Street, and after thanking the enthusiastic and nicely sized audience, many of whom were holdovers from Victoria Gross' performance, I closed with Frosted Flakes and Milk.

On a humorous note, I attempted to tip the soundman while I was packing up, only to learn that he owns the club! Mike McQugh, who booked the gig, invited me back in September, so hopefully we can meet up for another night of music at the C-Note soon.

Thanks to Renee and Sophia, Sean McAndrew, Andy, Raimonda, Margaret, and Tara from Lenox Hill, and Shana from California for coming out this time around. Catch you at Kenny's on September 9th!

Setlist: Cloud 9/There (first since DTUT: 3/2/04) / Reunion/Alison (Elvis Costello cover)/ Self-Portrait in Your Colors (first since Sidewalk Cafe: 5/21/04)/Pretty Girls/The Last One (for Stephen Bohler, by way of Elliott Smith) (debut)/Blame It On the Tetons (Modest Mouse cover)/What a Mess/The Only Living Boy in New York (Simon and Garfunkel cover)/Fake Plastic Trees (Radiohead cover)/The Beauty Pool/Grey Street (Dave Matthews cover)/Frosted Flakes and Milk